The Nationals blasted the Twins 7-0 in today's first game, the perfect way to kick off a doubleheader. Now they send RHP Nathan Karns (0-1, 6.00) to the mound to try and lock up a series win. Karns is making his third career start, already his second against an American League team after facing the Orioles in his MLB debut.

Pitching for the Twins is 29 year old Samuel Deduno (2-1, 3.44 ERA). A four-year pro, Deduno has just 103 major league innings under his belt and has yet to face the Nats. He will go up against a Washington lineup fresh off a blowout win just hours earlier. We'll see if their hot bats can carry over into the night.

The updated lineups are below with Denard Span back in the mix and Roger Bernadina batting second. The Twins also have a different look with Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham set to play.

Surprised to see Marrero in the game, when I tuned in during the 6th inning.ARen is hitting as advertised. Nice not having someone in that part of the lineup that isn't striking out!GoooooooooBulldog II; GoooooooooooooooARen!!!!

Maybe Davey has gone senile. What changed from last season? He managed the lineup extremely well last year. Harper, one of the best batters, hit 2nd. Why did he revert to this traditional-but-stupid idea that we need a poor hitting, low walk guy hitting 2nd? Whether that is Bernadina or Lombardozzi is irrelevant. They should be batting 7th or 8th, and Werth should bat 2nd.

Annnnnndddddddd hello (again) folks!Good to be back with ya…. Hoping we can win again this evening… Not surprised to see Zook sit this one… Hopefully Solano can make some solid contact and not hit those little squibblers he seems to always hit…Hey Karns, be nice if you can bring your ERA down some…

I just read about Mark's operation. You know it's a tough year for injures when the beat guy also goes down midseason.Thanks goodness Chase already is on the 40-man.Get well soon, Mark. We promise not to go over 65 with the family car while you're away.

EmDash said… Kid just doesn't have it tonight. If he makes it 4 it'll be a major accomplishment. I still think he can be a starter, but he clearly needs some more development time._________________________________To think people were worried about him pitching in Colorado! Hah!

MicheleS said… Sunshine.. if Karns keeps this up.. I am going to need an early dose of Bourbon and Maalox.. Sheesh.. walking people..I hate that Now Michele, you know the rules on the bourbon: No shots before the bullpen starts walking people in the seventh inning. What do you think we are around here, a bunch of alcoholics?Now, come to think of it…I loved Nats Jack's reference to Bally Star. At least Karns hasn't beaned anybody … yet.

Since the Nats gave Edwin Jackson $11 million for 4.03 and gave Dan Haren $13 million for 5.45, I hope one of the home-grown guys becomes a more effective and much more economical fifth starter.Karns doesn't look like he's that guy, so far, anyway.Sammy Solis? Taylor Jordan? I hope we don't have to wait for Giolito.

ALR looked great the suddenly K 9n one no where near the plate.Then the Desi ends inning with Dp. He swung at a ball no where near plate on second pitch. Could have had 3-0 count, then maybe not swing at 4th pitch.When people ask me about approach. Not swinging at balls would help a lot.

Dan Kolko ‏@masnKolkoThis probably will be Karns' last start with the #Nats before heading down. In his 3 starts: 12 IP, 17 H, 10 ER, 5 HR, 6 BB, 11 Ks._____________________________Kind of what I was thinking that we won't see Karns again until September.

I love Jamey Carroll. I wish he'd have better luck, but nothing that harmed us,in heard yesterday that he was only a Nat for one year. I love him so much, I would have said we had him longer than that. I know 1a has a soft spot for him, too.Mrs.B, you can't blame the onion for that two out dinger. He absolutely garunteed did NOT ask for that pitch to be left belt high.

Correct me if I'm wrong please, but I think Jane meant Solano might well have been intending to pitch around the guy, and wanted the ball off the plate. I wasn't watching that AB, so I have no idea where he was set up.

Solano looked to be set up inside and low. Not what he got. But whatever. Man, the skies opened up fast! We can still win this. It's not official yet, right!? They can't just pull the plug on us, right?

Sunshine, just reading back in the comments. I didn't realize The Cocktail couldn't come out till the bull pen is in. I've been breaking the rules for years. Especially this year. Sometimes by the second inning.

Sec 3, it was certainly a mistake pitch and if Karns doesn't understand the strategy he can learn it back in the Minors. Disappointing.Gonat, yes, it was a mistake pitch. I might have misunderstood, but I thought the question was whether Solano should have gotten Karns to pitch around Florimon. But I agree on Karns, as well; that is the green showing, I guess.And here comes the tarp back off.

Yeah, I thought it was on both Solano and Karns for the 2 run Hr…. 1st base open, the pitcher doesn't have his stuff, and you pitch to a dangerous guy when the pitcher is on deck and it's 2 outs…I thought Solano should have and could have called for the intentional walk and faced the pitcher instead….Jane disagreed but I will agree with Jane in saying that the location of the pitch that Solano called for (low, inside) was absolutely in the wrong spot….

I think what I meant is WE KNOW guys are hitting dingers off Karns when he puts the ball over belt high, and he does it a lot. That means THEY know it too. No way any catcher sets up for that. And no way anybody he faces misses the meatball when it comes his way. I am glad we have Karns. He will become good. He is just, as Sofa says, green. Lord knows nothing I threw could make it across the plate, so I'm not dissing anybody.

Yeah, it's all good Jane… Yeah Karns needs to go down and work on his location… That is my biggest gripe with him, right now, but I recognize he isn't here to stay right now…I think he has the stuff but location, location, location with him…Damn, I thought that was gone…. But thanks Adam, a productive out!

JaneB said… Sunshine, just reading back in the comments. I didn't realize The Cocktail couldn't come out till the bull pen is in. I've been breaking the rules for years. Especially this year. Sometimes by the second inning. No, Jane, you're fine. Davey's been into the bullpen by the second inning. So technically, that you're drinking by the second inning just means you're hallucinating enough to think the bullpen is actually being used when actually the starter is still in there. Not a problem. Cheers!

Yeah the blue has been consistent…. That's why I can't be made at him… He has been calling that a K since the beginning….And I said before, I didnt like Davis here…. Thought we should have used Stammen at least 1 more inning….

"FP is such a homer. When balls bounced on Ryan Z a few weeks ago after a rain delay it was that turf stuff. The ball bounces funny on Jamie Carrol and its just a plain ole E."He said the ball took a tricky bounce because of the wet surface.

OK, OK, OK. Attention, please. Clippard is on in the seventh in a tie game.For those who want to be completely legal about it, Sunshine's Bar is officially and legally open.Bourbon and Maalox all around for my friends, Barkeep!

MrsB loves the Nats said… Gonat – "stupid" "predictable" are the only 2 safe words I can think of right now…. June 09, 2013 9:57 PM ___________________________________Stupid is the word. That 2 run HR was the nail in his coffin back to the Minors.

This was a great game. We clawed back from behind, 1 run at a time. Did we waste opportunities? Yes. But we never gave up and just kept chipping away. This is a great win for the team. And we win the series!

What a game huh…. No make that… What 2 games… Love the sweep today….I had a feeling we would win this game… It was so good to see the offense consistent thru out the game….Got the series!!! Back to 500…. Nice job my Nats!!!!

David Proctor said… This game is far from over… June 09, 2013 10:35 PM MicheleS said… WOOOOO HOOOOOO! SWEEP THE DOUBLE HEADER! This was an awesome day! See you in CO! June 09, 2013 10:36 PM Did I mention these consecutive posts have to be the co-post of the day?